Phil Okose, Onitsha
The umbrella body of traders in Anambra State, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), over the weekend endorsed all the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
Declaring the endorsement at Godwin Achebe Stadium, Fegge, Onitsha, the President General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, stated that, “The event is for traders in the state to pay solidarity to our great party, APGA.
“We want to step in, ensure that traders in the state are not left behind in the forthcoming elections, to ensure we elect good candidates, as we participated in the governorship election that produced Governor Charles Soludo; that is why we have interest in elections.
“Like in the past, there was a lot of rigging during elections, but now, we will vote and ensure that our votes are counted,” he stated.
Anuna reiterated his stance on the readiness of traders to participate in the coming election, adding that earlier sensitizations have been carried out for the traders to know the importance of obtaining their voters’ cards, change of location and need to get them ready for the elections.
“If a trader contests for an election even at the federal level, we will support him because the ASMATA PG emeritus, Chief Okwudili Nwankwo (Ewepudike), won an election from this my office under APGA. So we will continue it the way we did it till he goes to the Senate”, he posited.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Trade and Commerce, Engr Michael Obiekwe (Mmilioma) congratulated all the party members who have emerged as the candidates in the just concluded APGA party primaries.
Obiekwe who also doubles as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport said, “We are here today not just to celebrate our party dominance but to give thanks to the Almighty God for the recent party primaries and the beginning of the campaign period, and also to build trust among ourselves.
“To identify the needs of the traders and to motivate ourselves towards the landslide victory at the forthcoming polls.
“The leadership of the Ministry of Commerce is committed to protecting all buyers and sellers in the marketplace. And also help Anambraans to grow local businesses and to keep our economy stable
“The Ministry of Commerce appreciates the governor’s intervention in security and infrastructure gaps in our major markets, especially in Onitsha Main Market”Obiekwe posited.
Contributing, the Chairman of Old Motor Car Spare Parts, Mgbuka Obosi, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa (Igwe Orumba)stated that the day’s event showed the party faithful’s love for one another adding that one thing that gives him joy is that APGA is doing well and Anambra is APGA.
“Whenever there is an election, we make sure we go there in unity and win. My faith is that APGA will win landslide in the coming elections,” he maintained.
Chief Eric Uwaoma, Chairman ASMATA, Onitsha Zone and chairman, Onitsha South Shop owners, while commending ASMATA for the event, frowned at the high cost of house rents, shops in the state, and illegal activities of plaza landlords.
“We want to know our stand: can we be under our landlords or the state government which is in charge,there is freedom of association, freedom of worship, but in this case, we are being intimidated by police arrest, atimes they come from Abuja.
“We are pleading to the governor to look into the matter because non-traders who own the plazas also want to take over leadership of the traders when they are not into trading. How can one who is not a trader be a leader of traders when we have our own leaders?
“Traders provided the facilities that include, security gadgets, electricity, security operatives, among others. Because of this some traders under me expressed dissatisfaction and I petitioned the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce and other relevant authorities on the issue,” he disclosed.
Hon.Emeka Mbachu, Chairman Sokoto road Market urged Ndi Anambra, traders, to vote APGA in the coming elections dding that they have done well and deserve continuation.
“He pleaded with all the APGA candidates in the forthcoming election, and others for all hands to be on deck in continuing from where the governor stopped in prioritizing the needs of the youths, saying that it is a collective effort which will not be left for one person
He pleaded with the governor to enforce his earlier promise on looking into the high rent in houses in the state.
He frowned that the house rent in the state is much bigger than the hospital bill, urging him to enforce it as earlier said , adding that traders will also benefit from it.
“As he talks and does, let him do it for us as he is doing at Onitsha Main Market, which he promised to turn to Taiwan Dubai, that is all we want,” he pleaded.
The Chairman of Haruna Street Market, Chief Emmanuel Idoko while supporting Uwaoma, also pleaded to the governor to come to their aid, stating that the traders are confused on the ugly developments in the market in terms of high cost of rent.
“Chief Uwaoma has been fighting for us in Onitsha South, but what we are seeing this time in terms of intimidation is too much,” he disclosed.
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